Creole Queen’s “Cruise to Mardi Gras World” Sets SailNew Orleans Attractions Offer Two Times the Fun for One Great Price

April 21, 2009 (New Orleans) Two premier New Orleans attractions—the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen and Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World—have partnered to offer an exciting, new discounted tour package—just in time for Jazz Fest and the prime tourism season. The Creole Queen Cruise to Mardi Gras World departs daily from the Canal Street Dock and is only $36 for adults, $30 for seniors and $21 for children 4 – 12.

Mardi Gras World is the home of carnival magic, where world-renowned artists create the brilliantly animated floats and sculptures seen around the world every Fat Tuesday. The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen is New Orleans’ most luxurious 1,000-passenger vessel offering sightseeing tours and dinner jazz cruises on the mighty Mississippi River. Together these world-class attractions pack an authentic New Orleans experience in an easy, 2.5 hour excursion.

The adventure starts when visitors step aboard the Creole Queen, powered by a 24-foot paddlewheeler, just like the kind used back in the 1800s. The captain takes passengers past the famed French Quarter and through one of the world’s busiest ports before landing at Mardi Gras World— where visitors get to peak behind the curtain as the masters of carnival work in their shops, weaving spells of towering wonder. It’s Mardi Gras in the making every day at Mardi Gras World.

“Creole Queen and Mardi Gras World have long been must-see attractions. Combining these into one exciting package is great for our visitors as well as the tourism industry and city of New Orleans,” said Craig Smith, president of Hospitality Enterprises.

“A river cruise to Mardi Gras World on the famous Paddlewheeler Creole Queen is the best attraction value for visitors and locals alike,” said Barry Kern, CEO of Blaine Kern Studios. “This venture with New Orleans Paddlewheels will bring more people and more commerce to the riverfront and help to stimulate our economy.”

About Creole QueenNew Orleans Paddlewheels Inc.—a Hospitality Enterprises company—operates the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, the most luxurious excursion vessel operating on the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Powered by a 24-foot diameter paddlewheel, Creole Queen has three private dining rooms and is the proud recipient of Louisiana’s Reader Choice Award for “Best Dinner Jazz Cruise” Award.

About Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras WorldBlaine Kern Studios has been New Orleans’ first family of float builders since 1947. The company is so closely identified with Carnival tradition that Blaine Kern himself is widely known as “Mr. Mardi Gras.” Son Barry Kern has joined New Orleans entrepreneur Joe Jaeger in the formation of Mardi Gras World, LLC. The partnership, doing business as Blaine Kern Studios, is the parent entity of the new riverfront complex.